Rental Rules by City / Washington / Westport
Westport short-term rental rules & tax calculator
📋 The Basics
- Can I rent my place short-term here?
- Yes, with a permit
- Do I need a permit?
- Yes, with city approval and a business license.
- What taxes do I pay?
- Total about 11.9%. Check your Airbnb payout report to see which ones Airbnb collects; you pay the rest yourself.
Your 3 steps to be legal
- Apply ($750).
- Pass inspection.
- Get a business license.
⚠️ Biggest risk: Renting before city approval.
Words confusing? See the glossary. Details and official sources are below.
Tax calculator
Rates used: WA combined lodging tax (Westport) 11.9% = 11.9%. Mandatory cleaning fees are included in the taxable total. 11.9% total per WA DOR Q4 2026 lodging rates (code 1408, incl. 3% special hotel-motel tax). Rate confirmed on WA DOR Q4 2026 lodging rates.
What Airbnb collects: Verify in payouts which taxes your platform remits.
Advanced details (laws, fees, sources)
Rules
| Permit | Vacation rental dwellings (30 days or less) need city approval before a business license (WMC 17.22); allowed in zones that permit single-family homes. |
|---|---|
| Fees | $750 new application, $250 renewal, $150 reinspection. |
Items marked "Verify with the city" could not be confirmed from an official source; call the office listed before relying on them.
Sources
Free tools
Free "Is my rental legal?" checklist · Free tourist tax calculator
Rules can change
Westport's rules, its tax rates and platform policies can change through a council vote, a new state law or a court ruling, often with little notice to hosts. We re-check this page monthly; subscribers get notified. Stay Compliant for $4.99/mo.
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Get a personalized STR Compliance Check ($49) for your exact address in any US city: the permits, registrations and tax accounts you need, with official sources, delivered by email in 48 business hours. Not legal advice.
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Stay Compliant: $4.99/month
Rules, tax rates and Airbnb/Vrbo policies can change without warning, and hosts who miss a change can be fined. Get alerts when your city, county or state changes, deadline reminders, a pending-bill watch list and a monthly host brief (even in quiet months: "we checked on [date]; no changes"). Compare plans.
By paying, you agree to our Terms and Refund Policy.
Not legal or tax advice. Last verified Oct 24, 2026. Rules and rates change: confirm with the official sources linked before you rent or file.